Shell installs first EV chargers in US at Boston airport – and they’re Australian

British-Dutch oil major Shell has expanded into the US, installing its first electric vehicle chargers under the Shell Recharge brand at Boston’s Logan airport – choosing designed-in-Australia chargers from Tritium.

Installed by Shell member and EV charging provider Greenlots, the occasion was noted by Shell electric mobility manager Steve Bean on networking site Linked In.

The units are 50kW Veefil-RT DC fast-chargers from Brisbane-based Tritium which can add around 150km range to an electric vehicle in about 30 minutes.

The US is part of Tritium’s increasing global footprint; in addition to several customer partnerships such as the one with Greenlots in the US, it also has a presence in Europe through the Ionity charging network, and of course in Australia – 30 countries in total.

In addition to its Veefil-RT 50kW chargers it also makes 350kW Veefil-PK ultra-rapid chargers that make up part of a growing network across the Australian eastern seaboad, Perth and Tasmania.

Tritium recently opened a facility in Los Angeles at which to make its range of DC fast chargers, making logistics for the ever-growing market demand in the US easier.

The expansion into the US extends Shell Recharge’s presence across the Atlantic from its base in the UK, where the oil major is cementing a position in the growing electric mobility industry in anticipation of disruption of its key fossil fuel markets.

As part of its project to enable the electrification of transport, Greenlots also recently announced agreement inked with US auto giant Ford that will see Ford electric vehicle drivers able to access Greenlots chargers via what is thought will be the largest charging network of its kind implemented on behalf of any automaker.

Via a Fordpass smartphone app, Ford EV drivers will be able to plug and charge on the go using the member network chargers.

“This new program will not only provide easy charging accessibility to Ford customers but will also serve as a blueprint to help evolve the entire EV industry in a coordinated and uniform way,” said Greenlots CTO Harmeet Singh in a statement.

“Integration of the Ford and Greenlots technology platforms within the FordPass app will provide a seamless and integrated EV charging experience, as well as push forward the commercialization and widespread adoption of emerging EV charging standards and technologies.

“Through this program, the EV charging industry is more unified than ever — a huge win for current and future EV drivers.”

According to a study conducted by Shell in regard to expansion of its EV charging network into Singapore, it found that access to charging infrastructure was a major reason deterring Singaporeans from making the switch to electric vehicles.

Bridie Schmidt is lead reporter for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She specialises in writing about new technology and has been writing about electric vehicles for two years. She has a keen interest in the role that zero emissions transport has to play in sustainability and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum.